CPP/Ang Bayan: 17 firearms seized from Bukidnon plantation

From the English language edition of the CPP propaganda publication Ang Bayan (Jul 21): 17 firearms seized from Bukidnon plantation

Red fighters under the South-Central Bukidnon Subregional Command seized 17 firearms in a raid on an outgrower compound of Del Monte Phils. Pineapple Plantation in Sitio Kiantig, Barangay San Jose, Quezon, Bukidnon on July 15.

The raid was successful despite the compound’s proximity to the 23rd IB’s headquarters in Maramag, the Quezon town police station and the 1st Special Forces command post in Salawagan. The NPA guerrillas, who arrived aboard a forward truck and a ten-wheeler truck mounted a quick and furtive raid on the compound at 10:30 a.m.

The Red fighters confiscated six M16 rifles, three carbines, six shotguns and a pistol from the compound guards. They also carted away five VHF radios and rounds of ammunition. Meanwhile, the guerrillas destroyed the chemicals bunker, the security bunker, a tractor, several motorcycles and other plantation machinery.

For a number of minutes, the Red fighters exchanged fire with some company guards who resisted, resulting in the death of two of the guards.
Del Monte was punished because its contract grower Pablo “Poling” Lorenzo is a landgrabber. Using his goons, he harasses legitimate owners of lands targeted for the plantation’s expansion. Even nuns, students and the farmers’ supporters have been victimized in several strafing incidents involving his goons.

Second, Lorenzo violates several labor laws. Almost all of his workers are not regular even if they have been working for him for a long time. Instead of making them regulars, he requires them to join a “labor cooperative”—the Kiantig Services Multipurpose Cooperative (KISMUCO). Through Lorenzo’s control over the cooperative, he has managed to depress the workers’ wages. The workers are also required to meet a quota before receiving their wages. They do not receive any benefits and SSS and Philhealth contributions deducted from their pay are not regularly remitted. The company fired workers who protested in 2011 without bothering to address their grievances.

Third, there has been frequent flooding in San Jose and nearby localities, with a number of houses swept away since the Del Monte plantation began its operations. Luwan-luwan Spring, from which Quezon residents source their fresh water has also been polluted by chemicals from the company.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/publications/ang_bayan/20140721/17-firearms-seized-from-bukidnon-plantation